Official Plan Amendment - Urban and Village Boundary Expansion

In 2024 a Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) was issued that enabled private landowners to request an expansion of the urban boundary at any time, including outside of a comprehensive review or Official Plan update. The consideration of such expansions requires an Official Plan Amendment. The Official Plan is, in effect, a blueprint of how a city wants to guide and direct future land use development. The urban boundary is the area that is already serviced or may be serviced with major roads, sewer, and water services, on which development may take place. Establishing the urban boundary helps conserve resources, promotes sustainable growth, and manages the efficient use of land.  

If a proponent wishes to include land within the Urban Boundary, they may make an application for an Urban and Village Boundary Expansion Official Plan Amendment. These amendments generally are site-specific.  

There are five steps to the Urban and Village Boundary Expansion Official Plan Application. Steps 1 and 2 are before the planning process, and steps 3 through 5 are part of the planning process.

• Step 1 - Assess existing servicing capacity, fee $250,000
• Step 2 - Identify new servicing capacity, fee $150,000
• Application submission - $1.4 million
• Step 3 - Assess land need, if withdrawn, $1.05 million refund
• Step 4 - Settlement area parcel analysis, if withdrawn, $300,000. refund
• Step 5 - Council decision

Steps 1 and 2: Servicing Capacity Assessment

Before applicants begin the planning process, applicants can consult with the City to obtain Servicing Capacity information as part of steps 1 and 2: an assessment of existing servicing capacity, and where capacity does not exist, the second report identifying projects and the cost of off-site works required to accommodate the expansion.

If through Step 1 it is determined that excess planned capacity is available to support the proposed expansion, the total approximate area outside the urban boundary that could potentially be serviced by this same excess planned capacity will be delineated by the City. Similarly, if upgrades are required as identified through Step 2, the total approximate area that would be serviceable based on these same upgrades would be identified.  

To consult with the City to obtain Servicing Capacity information, please consult this page.

Planning Application Process

Applicants will need to submit a complete application to the City that includes the Urban and Village Boundary Expansion Official Plan:

• Application Form
• Infrastructure Capacity Assessment (includes the Servicing Capacity Assessment)
• Land Need Analysis
• Payment of the fee

Upon receipt of a complete submission, the following steps would be undertaken by the City:

Step 3: Land Need Assessment

Staff will review the growth projections and corresponding land supply assessment provided by the applicant and render a draft recommendation to the applicant as to whether it has been proven (or not) that more land is needed to meet the PPS requirement of a 15-year land supply. 

Should the applicant select to withdraw at this stage and there is no outstanding right to appeal, a partial refund would be administered.

Step 4: Settlement Area Parcel Analysis (SAPA)

Staff will review the Infrastructure Capacity Assessment and, informed by the criteria contained in the SAPA Terms of Reference, ensuring that any lands that would be added are the best lands for the long-term interest of the City. Staff will then provide a draft recommendation to the applicant, stating the staff position on the lands.

Should the applicant select to withdraw at this stage and there is no outstanding right to appeal, a partial refund would be administered.

Step 5: Decision by Council

Staff will present the report recommendations to Council, update Master Plans, Geographic Information System, webpages, and communicate changes to stakeholders.